Tag: Vitamin c deficiency

According to the Cleveland Clinic, body odor isn't caused by sweat itself, but by bacteria on the skin breaking down the sweat. While hygiene and diet are often the main factors, less common causes linked to specific nutrients or metabolism, such as certain vitamins and minerals, can also result in an unusual body odor.

Scurvy, a disease caused by severe vitamin C deficiency, was responsible for the deaths of millions of sailors during the Age of Exploration due to prolonged periods without fresh fruits and vegetables. This article explains the vital role of vitamin C in preventing and curing this condition.

Most people treated for scurvy feel better within 48 hours of starting vitamin C supplements. Knowing how quickly can scurvy be reversed is vital for preventing long-term complications and achieving a full recovery through proper treatment and dietary changes.

In early 2025, pop icon Robbie Williams was diagnosed with scurvy, a condition he dramatically referred to as a “17th-century pirate disease”. The diagnosis stemmed from severe malnutrition caused by his restrictive diet, prompting the question: why has Robbie Williams got scurvy?

During the Age of Sail, scurvy tragically killed millions of sailors and was a major scourge. Today, the disease is extremely rare in developed countries, leading many to ask: why don't people get scurvy anymore? The answer lies in dramatic advancements in modern food systems and public health.

Scurvy develops after at least a month of little to no vitamin C in the diet, and a severe vitamin C deficiency is precisely what triggers scurvy. This debilitating nutritional disease is most often caused by a prolonged lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, the body's primary source of the essential nutrient.

According to the NIH, symptoms of severe vitamin C deficiency, which can lead to scurvy, can appear in as little as one month for some individuals, though it most often takes two to three months. The body does not store large reserves of this water-soluble vitamin, making consistent dietary intake vital to avoid developing a deficiency.

In April 2025, pop sensation Robbie Williams shocked fans by revealing he was diagnosed with scurvy, a disease most people associate with historical sailors. The former Take That member opened up about how rapid weight loss from an Ozempic-like medication led to a severe vitamin C deficiency, causing the '17th-century pirate disease'.

Historically, scurvy was a devastating disease, killing more British sailors during the 18th century than enemy action. What was the old cure for scurvy was a question that perplexed doctors for centuries, with the effective solution of fresh food, particularly citrus fruit, repeatedly being discovered and then forgotten.

According to one study, late-stage scurvy is life-threatening and can result in severe complications like generalized edema, convulsions, and even death. Recognizing the progression from early-stage indicators to the dangerous symptoms of severe scurvy is crucial for a positive outcome.